School Events

I'd love to come into your school and give a talk and/or run a writing workshop. If this is something you'd like too then read on for details. 

Currently I'm offering:

1 hr TALK plus extra time for book buying and signing - Learning objectives: by gaining insight into my life all children will leave the class feeling enriched and inspired to read and write. Through Invisible Girl all children will leave the class with greater awareness of the challenges runaways and homeless people face. 

90 minute TALK plus extra time for book buying and signing - with me talking about my writing and Invisible Girl and either Andy McCullough from Railway Children or someone from The Big Issue - and possibly a local homeless person talking about their life. Learning objectives: by gaining insight into my life all children will leave the class feeling enriched and inspired to read and write. Through Invisible Girl and Railway Children or The Big Issue children will leave the class with greater awareness of the challenges runaways and homeless people face. 

2 and a 1/2hour WRITING WORKSHOP plus extra time for book buying and signing - Learning objective: through drama, guided visualisation, sensorial stimulation and practical application all children will leave the class feeling inspired and well equipped to bring their own great stories into being. Through Invisible Girl all children will leave the class with greater awareness of the challenges runaways and homeless people face. My workshops are fun and interactive. The children will discover their characters through guided visualisation, find their settings using their sense of smell and learn to weave exciting plots through drama. We talk about some of the issues and dilemmas the characters in my books face, plus titles, great beginnings and memorable endings. I make it clear that using words is my way but not everyone's. I support the dyslexics and those who generally find story writing difficult to find their own way. I suggest they first make their story through images, music, dance art, etc. Children get the opportunity to share their stories. 

1 hour CRAFT WORKSHOP (making beaded bookmarks) - Learning objective: through creating an informal space for children to chat more intimately about writing, reading, and the issues and dilemmas the characters in my books face all children will leave the session feeling satisfied and heard. They'll also have a lovely bookmark to take home!

Although my books are for girls my talks work well for mixed gender groups and I'm happy to talk one class on its own or up to 300 children in one go. Max 40 children for writing workshops.

If you're interested in having me visit your school please click the link and the lovely people at Authors Aloud UK will take you through the booking process.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask then please feel free to email me kate@katemaryon.co.uk 

I really hope to meet you soon!

Feedback

Kate visited us for an afternoon on World Book Day.  For an hour and half the whole class were completely transfixed by her inspiring story from troubled childhood to author and her array of complex and interesting chararcters from her books.  The importance and development of character in writing was brought to life in a way that all the children are now far more confident and able to come up with their own three dimensional chararcters.

Kate's message is simple but perfect.  Everyone can succeed in their own way, everyone is special and unique, everyone is a character and has a story.  Her visit left pupils and staff inspired and uplifted.

Ceri Payne Year 6 teacher St Christopher's Canterbury

"The writing workshop was inspirational. Kate used a variety of sensory stimuli to get the children involved, including a highly visual approach to planning and structuring a story. Some of the boys who were initially reluctant got drawn in , and produced some excellent work very different to their usual style! Highly recommended!"

Louise Yates, Christ the Savious Primary, Canterbury

Kate
Thank you so much for your session today - I followed your input with the Year 5s - and wow, they had really taken on board what you said and have moved their own plans forward - I'm looking forward to reading what they write - and will let you have some samples.

Jacqueline Beardsley, Deputy Head

Hello Kate
Many many thanks for your talk yesterday - you really
reached the children, in so many ways - they loved you. Wesley, the boy
who got upset, will never forget your kindness.
I came down to Waterstone's after school and bought the 'Angel' book to read to the
children to see if Tory girl (so well named) got pulverised!  I look
forward to reading about her demise!
Look forward to seeing you again; I shall pass your details and
recomendations to our Literacy coordinator and headteacher.

Sue Yates - School Librarian

Brilliant talk, Kate, it far exceeded my expectations. We got wonderful feedback from the girls!

Debbie Good, School Librarian

 Your talk was wonderful, I can't wait to have you back to do writing workshops for years 7,8&9. I'm going to spread the word at the Librarians convention and see if we can arrange another tour!

Alwyn, School Librarian

Many thanks for yesterday's visit to Trevisker.  The pupils are all so enthused to write! 

Ros Adams, Head Teacher

Ha ha ha, the best bit for me was the smelling, it was really fun and you were really inspiring and it was really fun!   

From Megan, age 12

I would never have thought of that way of getting your character and setting...I'm sure my stories will improve now I know what to do! 
From Mary age 11

Dear Kate I'm from year 5 at Springmead School and I just wanted to say I loved you coming and your talk was lovley and I just love your book. Thank you for signing it for me. I'm going to get glitter as soon as I can. 
From Emily aged 10